Closings

Severe Weather

I-Team: Branstad’s life threatened, man federally charged

A man who claimed to have a “clear shot” at Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad faces federal charges, according to a federal court complaint unsealed on Monday.

The KETV NewsWatch 7 I-Team learned that Jerry Springsteen, 47, from Fort Dodge, is accused of mailing a threatening, handwritten letter to Branstad’s office in mid-October.

According to court records, Springsteen was arrested and made his initial court appearance on Monday in Des Moines.

The content of the letter cannot be published in its entirety due to profanity, but according to the complaint, part of it reads:

“Old man Now that you have figured out we are enemies and not allies I want you dead…”

“…now that I’m out I got a clear shot at you on Terrace Hill! Ah HA HA HA!”

Staffers in Branstad’s office opened the letter on Oct. 22 and turned it over to the Iowa State Patrol, according to the complaint.

On Oct. 24, after conversations among the Patrol, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, a postal inspector said he met with Springsteen at the Mental Health Institute in Independence, Iowa.

The inspector said that Springsteen admitted to writing the letter while undergoing treatment at the Mary Greeley Behavioral Health Unit in Ames.

According to the complaint, Springsteen told the investigator that his “intention was to intimidate Branstad and to get Branstad to listen to him.”

When asked what he meant by saying he has a "clear shot" at Branstad, Springsteen said, according to the complaint, that there is a fire escape on the Meadow Gold Building near Fleur Drive and Grand Avenue where he could take a shot at Branstand with a rifle.

The postal inspector wrote that Springsteen has a criminal history including assault, assault with a weapon, operating while intoxicated, public intoxication and harassment.

According to the complaint, Springsteen was released from prison in September for the harassment conviction. He was convicted of threatening a Webster County, Iowa, judge.

Springsteen will be detained until his trial on this latest charge. A federal judge said, in part, “There is a serious risk that the Defendant will endanger the safety of another person or the community.”

We posted the complaint in its entirety, but be aware that it contains graphic language.

Look for updates on this developing story on KETV.com.

Copyright 2012 byKETV.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Sunday it was "very alarmed" by reports of widespread doping by track and field athletes in major competitions including the Olympic Games and world championships.

The Obama administration will unveil a major climate change plan Monday aimed at a large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the nation's coal-burning power plants, a senior administration official told CNN.

As top GOP presidential candidates arrived at a hotel here to court the influential donors of the Koch network, Charles Koch called on retreat attendees to unite with him in a campaign against "corporate welfare" and "irresponsible spending" by both ...